The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
- National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance news
- Arts in criminal justice news and publications
- Events and training
- Resources and opportunities
Inspire legacy and next steps
We are delighted that from next week we will be sharing the Inspiring Futures virtual exhibition space online, which will comprise of our Inspiring Futures Arts Partners’ work. Thanks again to our Inspiring Futures partners; Helix Arts, Clean Break, Good Vibrations, Geese Theatre, The Irene Taylor Trust, Open Clasp, Only Connect, University of Cambridge and Koestler Arts. Please note a correction from last month’s issue where in error not all partners were referenced. As the year develops the NCJAA will continue to address the themes and issues raised though these events, starting with our NCJAA Arts in Criminal Justice Forums.
NCJAA Arts in Criminal Justice Forums
13 June | online | free
The NCJAA Arts in Criminal Justice Forums are regular online events themed around important ideas and relevant developments in criminal justice. You will have the chance to hear from expert speakers in both practice and policy, meet others working in the field, and share good practice within the network. Throughout the calendar we will draw from key themes requested by our network, starting with our next event. Forums are open to all working, or with an interest in, arts in criminal justice. Book your place at our next forum here and view our future forum dates here.
Clinks in conversation with Amy Rees and Phil Copple
3 May | Petty France, London and online | free
Join Clinks for this exciting opportunity for the voluntary sector to engage with Amy Rees, Director General CEO, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Phil Copple, the Director of Operations, HMPPS at our hybrid event. We will be hearing about the new HMPPS senior leadership structure and learning about the priorities and vision for the service, including the role and the value of the voluntary sector working within it. The event will consist of a discussion between the chair, Anne Fox, Chief Executive Officer at Clinks, Amy Rees and Phil Copple focussing on the themes which have emerged from Clinks' recent State of the sector research findings as well as other current issues that the voluntary sector is facing in the criminal justice system. Book your place here.
Issue 2 of Performing Recovery Magazine
This month the Addiction Recovery Arts (ARA) Network published the second edition of the Performing Recovery Magazine. This issue includes a piece from Dr Sharon Coyne who talks about the beginnings of Vita Nova, and their new play, The Nest, as well as a Spotlight on Melia Clapton and Lisa Climie about how Turn Up for Recovery are enabling conversations around addiction and helping addicts and their families. Also, spoken word artist Hannah Stanislaus shares how a discovery of writing has helped addicts in their recovery. Read more here.
NCJAA members Clean Break present Dixon and Daughters at the National Theatre
15 April – 10 June | London | from £20
This Clean Break play, written by Deborah Bruce and co-produced with the National Theatre, is a powerful story of family and forgiveness. Picture this, Mary has just been released from prison. She wants to come home and forget all about it but Briana has other ideas. Over a tumultuous two days a family is forced to confront not just their past but themselves. Because, even if you refuse to hear the truth, the truth does not go away. Book your tickets here.
Celebrate Creativity & Wellbeing Week with London Arts and Health network and their partners
15 – 21 May | online and in-person | from free
London Arts and Health network have a week of events coming up next month. Online you can discover organisations and activities working in your area to connect with around culture, creativity and wellbeing. The events are both online and in person for those in London. Find out more and book your places here.
Britten Pears: 'SPARK' - the future of music in criminal justice settings
9 May | online | free
Britten Pears’ Spark events aim to spark conversation and promote networking. Following on from their ThinkTank in November 2022, they are opening the discussion on the future of music in criminal justice settings. The webinar will be facilitated by Katherine Zeserson and panellists include; NCJAA Advisory Board Co-Chair Brenda Birungi (also known as Lady Unchained) and NCJAA research network member Professor Laura Caulfield, University of Wolverhampton, alongside; Matt Deal, Head of Reducing Reoffending HMP Warren Hill and Todd Speakman, musician. Book your place here.
College Behind Bars: Film Screening and Discussion on Justice and Education
11 May | Manchester | free
University of Manchester School of Social Sciences is hosting a film screening and discussion of College Behind Bars, an Emmy-nominated documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Lynn Novick. The film tells the story of a small group of incarcerated men and women working to earn university degrees and turn their lives around in one of the most rigorous and effective prison education programs in the United States – the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI). Hosted in Manchester at The Whitworth Gallery, this public engagement event organized by Dr Caroline Parker and Dr Scott Midson showcases successful prison-based higher education initiatives and challenges assumptions about incarcerated people’s capacity for learning. Book your place here.
Clinks working and volunteering in prisons training
8 June | online | from £50
Are you an arts practitioner new to working or volunteering in the criminal justice system? Do you have volunteers or staff members who want to increase their understanding the system? Working or volunteering in a prison can be quite daunting due to the many complexities associated with its unique environment and establishing the role of the voluntary sector within that can be challenging. The NCJAA’s host organisation, Clinks, are offering a three-hour training session for voluntary sector staff and volunteers. The training aims to raise awareness of the prison environment and provide information on key aspects such as staffing structures and departments, prison procedures, and current challenges associated with working in prisons. Book your place here.
Neurodiversity and Creativity training from Engage
19 June-3 July | online | from £60
This is a three-part online training course exploring neurodivergence in the context of creative engagement practices. Co-led by Starling and Every Brain for Engage, this course has been created to support colleagues who are developing programmes and projects with neurodivergent artists and participants. The first session on 19 June will introduce the definition and some important facts about neurodiversity. The second session on 26 June will focus on how organisations can work and collaborate with neurodivergent artists and creatives. Finally, the 3 July session will look more deeply at practical approaches and tools, which can nurture neurodivergent talent, and develop new opportunities and audiences within neurodivergent communities. Book your place here.
Trauma Informed Network Meeting - North East
6 June | online | free
One Small Thing Charity invite you to hear from Dr Sophie Mitchell who will share her research on the intergenerational traumatic impact of maternal imprisonment. At this regional network event, you will have the opportunity to meet and reflect upon trauma informed work, share insights and ideas, collaborate and find solutions to embedding trauma informed practice. All are welcome to join - anyone with an interest in working with trauma and in becoming trauma informed and colleagues who are already delivering their core work in a trauma informed way. Book your place here.
The Anchor Programme: long-term core funding to catalyse systemic change
The Anchor Programme from City Bridge Trust has been co-designed with civil society organisations and aims to achieve change for Londoners at a systemic level. To receive funding, organisations will need to demonstrate a strong commitment to equitable practice and to addressing the marginalisation and discrimination experienced by those with intersecting identities. Funding of £50,000 and £150,000 per year for between 7 and 10 years is available. Find out more and apply by 8 May here.
Free Antiracism Training for Creative Organisations in Yorkshire and The Humber
The Evolve Antiracism Consultancy is an opportunity for two digital and/or creative organisations in Yorkshire or The Humber to gain antiracism support through consultancy and/or training free of charge. This is a collaboration between the Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN) and Strawberry Words Training Consultancy. Evolve offers the two chosen organisations the opportunity to work with Strawberry Words (funded by SIGN) to help start or develop their antiracism plan and/or education. Find out more here.
Nominations for the 2023 National Lottery Awards are now open
The National Lottery Awards are for amazing individuals across the UK who dedicate their time to improve the lives of those around them. The impact of a nominee’s work does not need to be large or far reaching, what is important is that their care and commitment deserves to be thanked and acknowledged. All individual winners and the National Lottery Project of the Year will receive a trophy and a £5,000 cash prize for their project. Nominations must be funded by The National Lottery or be associated with a project which has received National Lottery funding. If you are not sure, do not worry! Nominate them anyway, and their team will check it out. Find out more and nominate by 16 May here.
Vacancies
Projects & Progression Coordinator - The Irene Taylor Trust
Sessional Tutor - Back on Track
Trustee - Finding Rhythms
Creative Health Associates - National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH)
Office Manager - Changing Tunes
Event Compere/MC - Key Changes
Director of People & Culture - SafeLives
Take a creative break
April is World Earth Month, so why not connect with nature in a creative way? Go wild and create a collage using natural materials, or produce a masterpiece out of the weeds that have outstayed their welcome near your home! Looking for inspiration? Learn how to use plant matter to create a natural dye for your next textiles project here.
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA monthly newsletter will be sent on Thursday 25 May. If you have any news, opportunities or events relating to art organisations or projects within the criminal justice system that you would like included, please complete this form or email artsalliance@clinks.org by Monday 15 April 2023.
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
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